2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the refreshed 2025 Nissan Murano and the spacious 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander often boils down to prioritizing footprint versus refinement. If maximizing interior flexibility is key, the Grand Highlander, at 201.4 inches long, offers significantly more sheer presence than the Murano's 192.9-inch frame. However, that size comes at a small efficiency cost; while both offer 21 MPG city, the Murano manages 27 MPG highway compared to the Grand Highlander's 28 MPG highway, a negligible difference considering the Toyota’s extra size. Power metrics show the Grand Highlander pulling ahead slightly with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque versus the Murano's 241 hp and 260 lb-ft. Starting MSRPs are nearly identical, with the Murano at $40,470 and the Grand Highlander at $40,860. Ultimately, buyers need to weigh the Murano's slightly better horsepower-to-weight ratio in a smaller package against the Grand Highlander's outright scale.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Nissan Murano
The 2025 Nissan Murano wins for commuters due to its slightly smaller overall dimensions (192.9 inches long), which helps with tight city parking maneuvers.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is the better family choice because its larger exterior footprint accommodates more overall interior and cargo needs.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander offers superior performance metrics with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Nissan Murano
The Murano offers a slightly lower starting price ($40,470) and delivers comparable primary fuel economy for daily use.
Choose the Nissan Murano if...
- You want the slightly lower entry price point at $40,470.
- You prefer the Murano's output of 241 horsepower for slightly less vehicle mass.
- You want a vehicle that is nearly 9 inches shorter in length (192.9 inches vs 201.4 inches) for easier garage fitting.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- You need the extra power and torque provided by its 265 hp and 310 lb-ft engine.
- You are prioritizing overall utility, indicated by its larger physical dimensions (70.1 inches tall).
- You want the marginally better combined MPG rating of 24 compared to the Murano's 23.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Murano | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9" | 201.4" |
| Width | 78.0" | 78.3" |
| Height | 67.9" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 111.2" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5600 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/27 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 392.7/504.9 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.7 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.3 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.8 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.9 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.7 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.3 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.9 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 20 in. | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/55R20 | 255/65R18 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
Suspension
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Murano and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Is the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander much harder to park than the Murano?
Yes, the Grand Highlander is notably larger, measuring 201.4 inches long compared to the Murano’s 192.9 inches. While both are crossovers, the Toyota’s increased length and height (70.1 inches) might be felt more frequently during parallel parking.
How significant is the power difference between these two models?
The Grand Highlander boasts 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 24 hp advantage over the Murano’s 241 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This means the Toyota will likely feel punchier when merging onto highways.
Do the fuel economy ratings differ much for city driving?
For city driving, both vehicles are rated identically at 21 MPG. However, the Grand Highlander pulls ahead slightly on the highway with 28 MPG versus the Murano's 27 MPG, despite its larger size.
Which car provides better utility space based on specs?
If you are looking purely at maximum reported cargo volume, the specs provided for the Murano suggest better space at 32.9 cubic feet compared to the Grand Highlander’s 20.6 cubic feet, which is surprising given the Toyota's length.
Are the initial prices a deciding factor between the 2025 Murano and Grand Highlander?
No, price is unlikely to be a major separator, as the starting MSRPs are very close: $40,470 for the Murano and $40,860 for the Grand Highlander. The cost difference is less than $400.
What is the difference in their mechanical setups?
The Murano utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with FWD, while the Grand Highlander uses an 8-speed automatic, also in FWD configuration for these base trims.
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